Det finnes tallrike ikonsamlinger i museer rundt i Europa, f. eks. i British Museum, London, museer i Aten i Hellas, Venezia i Italia, Ohrid i Jugoslavia, i St. Katerinaklosteret på Sinaifjellet, i museer i Moskva og St. Petersburg, o.s.v.

icon painting

Icons are not an artist's inspiration, but the church's spirituality and tradition. Icons are perceived as ''windows'' to heaven, and have a ritual function in the church’s and the believer's life.

There is today a growing interest in the icon painting, but for those who want to study the technique, there is little information to find in Norwegian.

The historical background, the symbolic meaning and the religious purposes of icons is a fascinating topic that is intended to provide a basic and necessary understanding of this particular form of religious art.

The Greek word Icon (εικών) means image, and usually denotes religious paintings on wood panels in Byzantine style, whether Greek, Russian or from other places overall in the world, where icons are a part of tradition. The Byzantine Empire was a continuation of the Roman in the east, and Byzantine icon painting is an art form that was prevalent throughout the vast area.

An old tradition says that the Evangelist Luke was the first Icon Painter. Many early icons of the Mother of God holding the holy Infant are attributed to him. Later Icons are showing him about to paint with a brush (as an angel is leading his hand).

For centuries, Icons were painted in workshops in the quiet and contemplative monastic communities.

An important feature of the Byzantine Orthodox church Icon Wall or ''ikonostasis'' which shows a series of Icons. This wall of wood separates the altar from the choirs and has a central door (called: beautiful gate) used on different occasions in the liturgy, sometimes it is open, other times it is closed, according to the ritual canon. That the Icons play a major role in the liturgy, they are placed on a stand (Greek: ''proskynetari'' προσκυνητάρι), particularly on feast days.

There are numerous Icon collections in museums around Europe, for example: British Museum -London, museums in Athens - Greece, Venice in Italy, Frankfurt in Germany, Ohrid in Yugoslavia, in St. Catherine’ s Monastery on Mount Sinai, in museums in Moscow and St. Petersburg, etc.

Icons are not honored only in churches. In many homes, they are an integral part of the family's place of prayer (Greek: εικονοστάσι).

To paint an Icon is the opposite of expressing subjective feelings, since it requires identification with a tradition. Above all, it is an action that requires a dedicated and modest attitude.

For someone who studies the art of Icons in our day Western Europe, with modern stress and bustle, it's a basic need to create an atmosphere that gives inner peace and concentration. One must have time to work and ensure that it can be done without risk of interference from outside. It is important to have good lighting, a comfortable work desk and all the necessary equipment, reference materials and icon reproductions. The atmosphere can be enhanced when listening to recordings of Byzantine Orthodox liturgy, or if preferred, Gregorian chant or classical church music. This will help create the calm and correct atmosphere for concentration.

teacher

Nikol Konstante Greek Icon painter and Icon pedagog, was teacher at the school for Byzantine Icons and Byzantine Mosaics in Athens - Greece for 10 years, currently working in Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden) and Europe (Greece, Belgium). Lives in Oslo, Norway.